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1) The Theurgy of the Runes

    Do you know how to write, do you know how to read,
    do you know how to paint, do you know how to prove,
    do you know how to ask, do you know how to offer,
    do you know how to send, do you know how to spend?

Theurgy: 1) Magic performed with the aid of beneficent spirits; divine or supernatural intervention in human affairs. 2) A specialized set of magical study for the benefit of the wielder and those they associate with.

This statement best suits the power that we call “Rune” for the staves are truly magic aided by the spirits in the form of our Gods (Aesir, Vanir, and Ettin-kin), Alfr (Ancestors), and Wights (fairies, dwarves, creatures, etc.). It is also true that the staves are a specialized set of magical study, and should be treated as a serious affair. The power of Rune is not an undertaking for the faint of heart, or those expecting a practice of easy rewards and little responsibility.
There are lessons to be learned in the light of this statement given in the Havamal; and to be honest, one must discover this nature for themselves in the end. While there are many guides (as some will be given here as follows), the true end result is up to you, as only you can come to the gods in your own terms.

The guide given here is two fold to understanding this passage from the Havamal. The first is the elemental association and the second is the runes association. These two terms are explained at the following link and can be found on the sidebar as well : The Elemental Forces. Please remember, as with all things given on this site, this is an opinion of the author.

Do you know how to write…

    Element: Salt
    Runes: Wunjo, Manaz, Ingwaz
    The staves are dressed as the container for form; meaning, the staves are simply drawings that house the idea and shape of what our own will and power should look like. Knowing how to write the runes is just as important as any of the other steps involved in invoking “Rune”. If we shape our will to much, then the power dwindles the more and more we do so, taking away the creative nature of the mind. Thus, the runes look a certain way because they are the best representation of power that we have, focused into simplistic shape.
    Learn their shapes and know why they look the way they do. This gives the Joy of Rune to the Wielder by planting the Seed of power deep within the heart and mind.

Do you know how to read…

    Element: Fire
    Runes: Fehu, Kannaz, Sig
    .
      A man should not carve runes
      unless he knows well how to read
      it befalls man a man
      who are led astray by a dark stave
      I saw whittled on a whale bone
      ten secret staves carved
      that have given the slender girl
      her grinding pain so long…

        Chapter 72 of the Egil Saga

    This, of course, is the one thing we are most concerned with, or should be in my opinion. Language is the utmost important means of communication, and without understanding the language (and thus culture behind the language) we are “lost in translation”. As stated before “the runes are as complex as the lands that bore them forth”. As such, it is important to learn the order, translation, and nature of the runes themselves even before understanding the deeper mysteries of each stave.
    READ THE HISTORY, LEARN THE LANGUAGE AND ITS NUANCES, KNOW THE CULTURE. By understanding the history, the language, and the culture, you will know what was intended by the use of the staves and thus know the nature in which they were bore forth.
    Wealth is gained by Inspiration, and thus given to the wielders for Victory.

Do you know how to paint…

    Element: Ice
    Runes: Isa, Algiz, Tir
    The word “Zauberer” in High German roughly translates to “Magician” or “Sorcerer”. This term derives from another which means “to stain red” such as with ocher, blood, or rust. The fact that Zauberer is associated with staining is indicative (and yet another subject of proof) to the process.
    When painting or staining the runes, we are shown in many of the myths that those who use them often stain them with their own blood. This is an act of empowering the runes with your will, and much like Woden sacrificed himself on the Yggdrasil for the knowledge of the runes, we in turn must make a sacrifice to that ancient power….Rune. This is not as ghoulish a practice as it might seem. To sacrifice ones-self to ones inner power is a noble and dignified act.
    It does not matter how what you paint them with, however, but for what intention your painting them for in the first place. Runes should be used to empower one intentions, not just lazily done for look or show. Painting is a magickal art, done under the guidance and Protection of knowledge, done for Right work.

Do you know how to prove…

    Element: Iron
    Runes: Uruz, Halgiz, Ehol

      Dictionary definition : Prove: to show oneself to have the character or ability expected of one, especially through one’s actions.
    “The proof is in the pudding”, as they say, and in such a saying we must observe what is within ourselves that we must prove to the gods to gain the gift of Rune. The power of Rune is a crucible to the soul. Thus, the true runster knows that sacrifice must be made to gain the most deepest mysteries and powers that are offered, just as Woden did in turn upon the Yggdrasil. To prove yourself to the runes, one must sacrifice ones self to the divine self…the spark within us all given by Heimdal…and ask for nothing but the knowledge in return.
    Now this does not mean to go out and starve yourself or inflict harm just to prove to yourself your worthy. But this does mean that you need to realize that “Rune” is not given to fools and dullards, but to those who devote themselves to the art fully.
    Strength is gained by those tested by Chaos itself, though Proof is granted by those who are given to knowledge.

Do you know how to ask…

    Element: Wind
    Runes: Anzus, Ehwaz, Degaz

      It is better not to ask, than to sacrifice too much. A gift always looks for a gift.
      It is better unsent, than over sacrificed.
      Havamal, Stanza 145

    There is a right way, and a wrong way to ask for the power of the runes, but this is important for each individual runster to find out for themselves. The power of Rune is a primal thing, drawn from the well (the conduit of life and death) into physical being. The staves are powerful idea’s that shape the wielders consciousness into form, and this is not done with a light heart. Learning to focus on shape and ask for that strength of will is all apart of learning the runes.
    It should also be noted of the Havamal that we should be wary of what we ask for, for when the runes are given to motion they usually do not stop until such power has been expended. The power of “Rune” is a chaotic and powerful thing, completely alive and independent if not shaped by the wielder. If you ask, be aware of what you are sacrificing, for you may get answers and not in wholly the way you wish it.
    True power from Godly force is in Motion always, be aware of Change.

Do you know how to offer…

    Element: Venom
    Runes: Thurusaz, Naudiz, Peorth.
    I thought long and hard on how to address this part of the Havamal and there is no real easy way to put this statement: What are you willing to give for the power of “Rune”? Some might say that sounds a bit reminiscent of the christian rhetoric of “blind faith”, but the statement still stands and is quite appropriate. The true runester will give much of him/herself to draw forth the knowledge and into the power of the Staves…Eruli’s will give even more. The mark on my wrist proves this.
    I should note here that not everyone must make the same offerings to the runes as I or another runester does. Once again, the practice must be turned inward and you must find what level of individuality that suits you best. But one thing is for certain, if you are not willing to sacrifice something to gain something, you will be bereft of the true knowledge of the Runes.
    The Gateway of power is given when the Need-fire is lit. Our Orlog will prove if we have given enough for such power.

Do you know how to send…

    Element: Yeast
    Runes: Jera, Berkana, Othel
    Sending the runes is a lot like asking someone if they have faith. Sending the runes forth from ones self is an act of growth and confidence, of acknowledging the power you have given of yourself and what you will gain in return for such good work.
    Our deities, those of the Erulians, are living anthropomorphic beings; meaning, they are alike to mortals. They breath, live, grow, and can even die. They walk alongside us, ether in the very earth around us (mostly represented by the Vanir deities) or even personified in those we meet and interact with (the Aesir). This simple understanding reminds us that when we send forth the power of Rune, it is a thing of growth and harvest, of the inner cycle as a living and breathing entity. In so doing, we must acknowledge the power we send forth as part of ourselves, and be prepared for the acknowledgment we will receive from our deities for such work.
    The yearly Harvest provides the fruit for the soul so that we may feast mightily and Grow into our divine power and natures. In the end, the body houses the great God/dess within us all.

Do you know how to spend…

    Element: Water
    Runes: Ridho, Gefu, Laguz
    In the end, the final step in the Theurgy of “Rune” is spending the energy gained by their use. After all is said and done and the runes have been cast forth, there is still yet a final step that most people of esoteric nature forget to follow through with: reciprocation.
    “So I’ve cast the runes and got what I wanted, the power of ‘Rune’ has fulfilled its purpose and the gods have granted me my need through the runes…now what?”
    You must know how to spend the energy that has been given to you. After all, you altered the world ever so slightly by the use of that power, carving a new road for yourself. You have a responsibility to those around and the powers that be to make sure to spend your well earned geld (gold; in this phrase meaning the change you wanted by using the runes) properly and with wisdom. Part of that energy should go back into the well from which you drew it forth, as the power of Rune is a living thing and must be cultivated to survive.
    In the end, you must accept what has occurred and believe in not only the power that brought for the change, but in yourself and your own personal ability to create that change. You must “go with the flow”, as it were, and accept the way reality presents itself to you now that the great change has occurred.
    When the Path is shown to us, we must in turn give Gifts to the powers who gave us that path, so the power can equally Flow from the gods to ourselves and back again.

Do you know the power of “Rune”.
By studying the words of Wodhannaz (Odin) and truly diving into the patterns, elements, and spiritual nature of the Erulian culture, we are able to learn so much more about the power of “Rune” and thus the influence of the “Staves” then others who might simply dabble into the areas of Runeology. The Erulian strives for nothing less then a whole and encompassing understanding (if not flexible and open minded view) of the Runes themselves and the culture that bore them forth.